Back toTop
Menu

Applied Computer Science

 

Applied Computer Science is a unique academic program that prepares our students for a variety of careers where computer science is utilized. That includes the typical career of software development and also careers in fields that intersect computer science, such as health care, legal, business, media, scientific, and education.

Courses include current and relevant topics including but not limited to robotics, mobile development, media computation, cyber security, and Big Data. Applied CS students work both in groups and individually throughout the program, which culminates in a senior capstone project where students work together to complete a project of choice or one commissioned by an external organization. Students can get additional hands-on experience through internships and undergraduate research opportunities. Read this interview to learn more about why you may want to study computer science at Birmingham-Southern College.

Interested? Fill out the form to the right and an admissions representative will follow up with you to start your Hilltop journey.

The future of Computer Science is now.



 

Why study Applied Computer Science at BSC?

  • Learn from experienced computer science professionals.
  • Work on a Capstone project that allows you to work together on a project of your choice or one commissioned by an external organization.
  • Hands-on learning opportunities with robotics, mobile development, media computation, cyber security, and big data.
  • Opportunities for extra-curricular activities, such as internships and undergraduate research projects.
  • Earn a Computer Science degree that is up-to-date and relevant, preparing you for the future of technology.
  •  

    Learning Outcomes

    Learning Outcomes and Curriculum 

    After completing the Applied CS program, a student will be able to

    • Organize and manipulate data
    • Write code for computational problems
    • Optimize alternative computational approaches for enhancing the creation and presentation of raw material 
  •  

    Major

    Major

    For the major, there are four tracks from which a student may choose.

    Students must complete the following base courses:

    • CAC 180: Programming I – Introduction to textual programming using Python. The course will cover data types, decisions, loops, functions, basic data structures, and classes.
    • CAC 190: Programming II – A course strictly devoted to solving problems using programming logic, building on programming skills acquired in CAC 180 by reinforcing problem solving skills. Topics include classes, recursion, threading, and mandatory code reviews.
    • CAC 210: Data Structures and Media Computation – An advanced programming survey. Data structures to be covered include lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs, in addition to searching and sorting algorithms. Assignments will involve the manipulation of media such as art and music.
    • CAC 220: Storage and Analysis of Data – An introduction to database development and big data. Topics will include sql databases, database programming, big data storage, and data analytics.
    • CAC 310: Programming Languages – An examination of three programming paradigms. The course requires students to learn three different languages and how to determine the best language for a given problem.
    • CAC 430: Human Computer Interaction and Software Engineering – An exploration of ways to improve the user experience. Students will examine existing interfaces, write analyses, and design their own interfaces requiring the use of design documents.
    • CAC 470: Senior Capstone – A senior capstone experience in applied computer science. Working in a group, students will propose and implement a project by moving through each phase of the software development process.

     

    Students will take additional courses based on the chosen track:

    1. Computer Engineering: The Computer Engineering Track deepens students’ understanding of electronic circuits. This track prepares students to work with embedded systems and the Internet of Things. Students will take additional math courses as well as specialized applied computer science courses. Required courses include: Calculus I, Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Computer Architecture and the Internet of Things, Electrical Circuits, and Robotics.
    2. Software Engineering: The Software Engineering Track strengthens students’ programming and software design skills. Additional math courses are required to strengthen students’ problem solving abilities and their theoretical knowledge. The curriculum enhances software design, implementation, and testing skills. Required courses include Calculus I, Calculus II, Discrete Math, Software Design, Systems and Cyber Security, and one Applied CS elective.
    3. Creative Media Manipulation: The Creative Media Manipulation Track encourages students to apply their computer science foundation to the arts. Students will take a variety of arts courses in order to build a better understanding of space, movement, film, and design. Required courses include two Media and Film Studies courses, two Art courses, and two Theatre courses.
    4. Industry Track: The Industry Track provides the foundations of computer science, and gives students room to apply the major to another field. If this track is selected, it is highly recommended that students choose a minor to which students will apply the concepts learned in the applied computer science program. Required courses include: Statistics OR Calculus I, Art: 2D design, and four Applied CS electives.
  •  

    Minor

    Minor

    Two minors are offered.

    Minor in Applied CS:

    • Programming I
    • Programming II
    • one additional unit in CAC at the 200 level
    • two additional units in CAC at the 300/400 level

    Minor in Data Science:

    • Programming I or Data Science Programming
    • Statistics or Data Science Statistics
    • Data Science I
    • Data Science II
    • Research Project or Internship
  •  

    Accelerated Data Science Program

    Learn more about our Accelerated Data Science Program in collaboration with Flatiron School here.
  •  

    Undergraduate Research Ideas

    box_designtinkercad1.png

     

    Your ideas will be strongly encouraged and supported, but if you need an idea, here is some current work and/or ideas:

    • Creating a drag and drop programming language to teach elementary students computational thinking while strengthening math and/or reading skills.
      • During the 2018-2019 academic year, Applied Computer Science Minor, Rebecca Weston, and Dr. Wagner worked collaboratively on a Vail Fellowship to create a math programming game for first and second grade students.
      • Applied CS and Math double major, Hyun Lee, is currently working on this project. He has expanded the block programming language and will be conducting a user study in Spring 2021.
    • 2020-2021 seniors have been invited to develop a tool to assist developers in verifying that accessibility concerns are addressed during the design and development process.
    • Creating a Tactile Input Modality: This work requires the use of Arduinos and Raspberry Pis to enable students with visual impairments to have an alternate input modality when programming with block languages. Click hereto see previous work.
      • Applied Computer Science Minor, Roger Wang, conducted further research on this topic. His research was well received. He presented at ACM MidSoutheast, was awarded 2 ndplace in the ACM SIGCSE 2019 Student Research Competition, and had a paper accepted to the ACM Southeast 2019 conference (17.95% acceptance rate).
    • Creating a Vocal User Interface: There has been substantial work on creating vocal user interfaces to interact with block programming, but there is still a great deal to be done. Check out http://myna.cs.ua.edu.
    • Evaluating a Vocal User Interface: There are numerous empirical methods for evaluating graphical user interfaces, but there are no existing empirical methods for evaluating vocal user interfaces. This work would be the foundation for establishing these evaluation methods. 

     

  •  

    Senior Capstone

    The Senior Capstone will put all of your skills to the test. Here are some past projects:

    • Creating a motorized wheelchair simulator to assist young children in learning how to use a joystick to control a motorized wheelchair. Students are working with a local organization to ensure they fully understand the requirements of the project.
    • Designing and building an Outbreak Detection Robot (ODR), which is a remote controlled robot that detects toxic gases and radiation. The student designed and printed the robot components using 3D printing and assembled the robot with the necessary sensors. 
    • Researching the randomness of a newly developed Pseudo Random Number Generator (PRNG). This project combined math and computer science to develop a PRNG based on research conducted on existing PRNGs. The resulting algorithm was statistically evaluated for randomness, and the results show that the newly developed PRNG does generate “random” numbers to assist in the complexity of hashing passwords to better the level of encryption.
    • Creating a game for children with disabilities. This game provides a simple to use interface with intellectually stimulating games for children with disabilities. This student is working with experts from Hand-in-Hand to verify the functionality of the game meets the target audience’s needs.
    • Experimenting with Natural Language Processing. In this project, the student reveals the capabilities of one of the leading platforms for Python programs, the NLTK (Natural Language Processing Toolkit) by previewing and applying various functions of this toolkit to Amazon Review Data, showing how these can both provide insight and expedite appropriate action.

     

  •  

    Graduates

    Graduates of the Applied CS program have been successful after graduating proceeding to enter the work force or pursue graduate studies. Our students can be found working companies such as:

    • The Department of Defense
    • Cofense
    • Bimaire
    • BBVA Compass Bank
    • Hexagon PPM 

    Other students can be found studying:

    • Master’s of Data Science at UAB
    • Master’s of Computer Engineering at UAH 

    Minors of the program can be found working at:

    • IBM
    • Aviana Global Technologies
  •  

    ACS in the news

  •  

    Faculty

    Dr. Amber WagnerDr. Amber Wagner
    Department of  Applied Computer Science
    Birmingham-Southern College
    900 Arkadelphia Road / Box 549032 
    Birmingham, Alabama 35254-9021
    [email protected]
    Personal Web Page

    Dr. Anthony WinchesterDr. Anthony Winchester
    Department of  Applied Computer Science
    Birmingham-Southern College
    900 Arkadelphia Road / Box 549032 
    Birmingham, Alabama 35254-9021
    [email protected]
    Personal Web Page